Dow leaves Midland on shore, 136-50

Published 8:00 pm, Friday, February 22, 2002

On a night when Midland High and Dow High honored their seniors, it was the younger swimmers who shone the brightest, especially for Dow.

Underclassmen won eight of the nine individual events Friday as Dow beat Midland 136-50 at the Dow High pool.

The Chargers captured every event, including two each by freshman Tim Giblin and juniors Nick Panepucci and Alex Horbal. All the individual winners set personal best times.

"Everyone was on almost best times," first-year Dow coach Gary Strickler said. "The competition with Midland brought out the best in both teams. Our guys have been training really hard.

"Almost all of our point scorers will be back next year," he said. "We're really pointing ahead to the future."

Midland coach Tara Crower was also encouraged by her swimmers.

"They swam really well and I was really happy with the meet," said Crower, also in her first year as coach. "A lot of them had personal bests. I couldn't have asked for a better meet. We like to get together with Dow and swim against them."

Crower also sees a bright future for the Chemics.

"I'm looking forward to all the kids coming back and seeing what we can do in the next couple years," she said.

Giblin won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:56.55 and the 100 free in 51.92. Panepucci captured the 200 individual medley in 2:13.79 and 100 backstroke in 59.32.

Horbal won the shortest and longest events, taking the 50 free in 23.82 and the 500 free in 5:27.08.

"Eric is a very graceful diver (and) could be one of the best divers in the (Saginaw) Valley (League)," Strickler said.

Dow won the 200 medley relay in 1:52.07 with the team of Panepucci, Sapp, Radler and Tony Bruneau. Bruneau, Horbal, Giblin and junior Dale Haiducek won the 200 free relay in 1:38.77. Horbal, Radler, Giblin and Panepucci won the 400 free relay in 3:35.73.

For Midland, Sullivan took second in the 200 IM. Senior Corey Schoenherr was second in the 100 back and third in the 200 free. Sophomore Brad Petersen was third in the 50 free and 100 breast, and sophomore Ryan Donald was third in the 100 breast.

The Chemics took second in the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay, and third in the 400 free relay.

Taking second for Dow were junior Charles McCarthy in the 200 free and 500 free, Bruneau in the 50 free and 100 free, Haiducek in diving and junior Matt Sonnenschein in the 100 breast.

Placing third for Dow were Sapp in the 200 IM, freshman Sean Morse in diving, sophomore Matt Morley in the 100 fly, freshman Dan Farley in the 100 free and Radler in the 500 free.

The Chargers placed second in the 400 free relay, and third in the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay.

Both teams swim at the Saginaw Valley League Championships Thursday and Saturday at Flint Southwestern.